William Chittenden is like any normal teenager.
The 13-year-old attends high school, hangs out with his friends and spends quality time with his family.
But unlike most teenagers, wherever Chittenden goes, he’s accompanied by a golden Labrador named Carol.
The John Barsby Secondary School student was born with epilepsy and is prone to seizures. As a result, Chittenden has been using Carol, a seizure response dog, to ensure he is safe no matter where he goes.
“I feel a lot safer than I used to be,” Chittenden said.
He and Carol will be participating in the Purina Walk for Dog Guides at Maffeo Sutton Park on Sunday (May 22). The event is organized by the Hub City Lions Club and raises money for dog guide training programs.
“The money raised here stays here in the community,” said event co-organizer and Lions Club member Peter Thomas.
Carol was acquired a little more than a year ago in an effort to give Chittenden more freedom and peace of mind.
The Chittenden family applied for the a seizure response dog through the Lions Foundation.
“We thought it would be a good idea because it makes my family feel a lot safer even when I am by myself,” Chittenden said.
In the short time that Chittenden has had Carol, she has come to his aid on a few occasions, including once when he fell in the shower.
“She has been a life saver,” said Sherry Chittenden, William’s mother. “Carol has saved William’s life quite a few times. If it wasn’t for Carol to bark for help for William, he may have been a lot worse.”
The golden Labrador has also transformed William from a shy, quiet kid into a relatively outgoing teenager.
“William actually never left his bedroom. He stayed in the house all the time,” Sherry Chittenden said. “Now since he has Carol, he goes to school on his own, he gets to hang out with his friends and be outside and be a typical teenager … where before he would never ever think of it.”
Registration begins at 12:30 p.m. For information, please call 250-754-2729.
